Ricky Mohammad Nugraha

Editor:

Markus Wisnu Murti

2 September 2019 20:45 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially announced that it will curb the access of foreign nationals to Papua and West Papua following the recent findings suggesting foreign intervention in the massive demonstrations across the regions in the past several days.

“During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, we agreed not to open the access for foreign nationals as wide as possible in Papua and West Papua,” said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto in Jakarta on Monday.

The minister said that transparent and non-restrictive access would be regranted after the government quelled “several elements” that had exacerbated the situation in Papua.

“[We will allow it again] after the conditions improve,” said Wiranto.

Earlier, National Police (Polri) Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian acknowledged there were a number of mass-organizations participating in the widespread anarchy across Papua and West Papua. These organizations, he said, were directly linked to foreign intervention, mainly global organizations.

The police chief’s allegations were rooted in the findings of National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) Chief Hinsa Siburian, who claimed there was a social media account backed by foreign parties that intentionally spread false narratives regarding Papua’s conditions.

Ricky Mohammad Nugraha

Editor:

Markus Wisnu Murti

2 September 2019 19:40 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, has seconded the statement of Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, who alleged that Papuan separatist leader Benny Wenda was the mastermind behind the riots in Papua and West Papua.

“I think it is true that Benny Wenda took part in the conspiracy,” said Wiranto at his office on Monday.

Wiranto thus called on the government to fight back against the separatist’s instigations by revealing the facts behind the widespread Papua unrest.

He also accused Benny of spreading false narratives overseas by suggesting that the Indonesian government failed to pay attention to West Papua and Papua as a whole.

“[He talks] as if we have abandoned [Papuans] and violated human rights on a daily basis, such as torture and murders, but all of that is impossible [to take place],” said Wiranto.

Meanwhile, as quoted from Tempo English Magazine, September 2-8 edition, the interview with Benny Wenda entitled “No Room for Democracy in Papua” reveals that he instructed Papuans to refrain from participating in the Indonesian independence annual celebrations on August 17.

“I did write a circular several weeks before the Indonesian independence day celebrations. The contents urged Papuans not to join the ceremonies. But the demonstrations in Surabaya, which spread to Papua, were spontaneous. It was the Papuan people who acted,” said Benny Wenda in the exclusive interview with Tempo English Magazine.

ANDITA RAHMA

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3) Rp 70 billion needed to repair govt buildings in Papua: Minister

Ni Komang Erviani The Jakarta Post

Nusa Dua / Mon, September 2, 2019 / 09:23 pm

Following unrest in Papua, the government is faced with an expensive repair bill in the easternmost province. Around Rp 70 billion (US$4.9 million) will be allocated to fix at least seven government office buildings.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono told reporters in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday that his ministry would start the work soon. “I will fly to Papua tonight,” he said, adding that the National Police chief and the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander were also heading to Papua on Monday.

Unrest has plagued Papua and West Papua for several weeks, triggered by racist attacks against Papuan students in East Java.

Basuki said the repair work was expected to be complete within one month at the most. “I think, this is different from a tsunami or earthquake. It is not massive [destruction]. It’s sporadic. Hopefully, it will not take too long,” he said on the sidelines of the third World Irrigation Forum.

So far, the ministry has identified seven government office buildings that need to be repaired, including the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) building, Basuki said, adding that President Joko Widodo had ordered the ministry to restore facilities in Papua as soon as possible.

The minister said he was still calculating the budget needed for the physical work, “Maybe it is around Rp 70 billion.”